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Home > Best Old Ales / Strong Ales - Top Ten Ranked by the United States Open

Best Old Ales / Strong Ales - Top Ten Ranked by the United States Open


This Top Ten Old Ale / Strong Ale list is from America's Best and Top Ten. On July 4, 2009, this list will be from the results of the 2009 US Open Beer Championship. 
1. Thomas Hardy's Ale - O'Hanlon's Brewing - England
2. Hibernation Ale - Great Divide Brewing - Colorado
3. Old Stock Ale - North Coast Brewing - California
4. Black Hole - Weyerbacher Brewing - Pennsylvania
5. Third Coast Old Ale - Bell's Brewery - Michigan
6. Old Engine Oil - Harviestoun Brewery - Scotland
7. Theakston Old Peculier - T&R Theakston - England
8. Adam - Hair of the Dog Brewing - Oregon
9. Kuhnhenn Fourth Dementia - Kuhnhenn Brewing - Michigan
10. Fuller's Vintage Ale - Fuller Smith & Turner - England
Old Ale / Strong Ale
Subcategory: Old Ale
Dark amber to brown in color, old ales are medium- to full-bodied with a malty sweetness. Hop aroma should be minimal and flavor can vary from none to medium in character intensity. Fruity-ester flavors and aromas can contribute to the character of this ale. Bitterness should be minimal but evident and balanced with malt and/or caramel like sweetness. Alcohol types can be varied and complex. A distinctive quality of these ales is that they undergo an aging process (often for years) on their yeast either in bulk storage or through conditioning in the bottle, which contributes to a rich and often sweet oxidation character. Complex estery characters may also emerge. Some diacetyl character may be evident and acceptable. Wood-aged characters such as vanillin and other woody characters are acceptable. Horsey, goaty, leathery and phenolic character evolved from Brettanomyces organisms and acidity may be present but should be at low levels and balanced with other flavors. Residual flavors that come from liquids previously aged in a barrel such as bourbon or sherry should not be present; beers that exhibit these qualities should be entered in another category for wood-aged beers. Chill haze is acceptable at low temperatures.
OG: 1.058-1.088 
FG: 1.014-1.030 
Alcohol by Weight: 5-7.2% 
IBU: 30-65
Color SRM: 12-30 
Subcategory: Strong Ale
Light amber to mid-range brown in color, strong ales are medium to full bodied with a malty sweetness. Hop aroma should be minimal and flavor can vary from none to medium in character intensity. Fruity-ester flavors and aromas can contribute to the character of this ale. Bitterness should be minimal but evident and balanced with malt and/or caramel like sweetness. Alcohol types can be varied and complex. A rich, often sweet and complex estery character may be evident. Very low levels of diacetyl are acceptable. Chill haze is acceptable at low temperatures.
OG: 1.060-1.125 
FG: 1.014-1.040 
Alcohol by Weight: 5.5-8.9% 
IBU: 30-65
Color SRM: 8-21  






2010 United States
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